AU urges gradual transition of security roles from its force in Somalia

[Deeq A.]

The African Union (AU) on Monday called for gradual and progressive takeover of security responsibilities from the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The AU Peace and Security Council made the call in a statement issued on Monday following decisions made during its recent meeting on the consideration and adoption of the Concept of Operations (CONOPs) of the AMISOM for 2018 to 2021.

AMISOM in November last year developed a document that will provide an effective framework for the gradual transition of security responsibilities to Somalia’s security institutions from the AU mission.

The new concept of operations, which guides AMISOM’s activities and operations for the 2018-2021 period, marks the final phase of the AU mission’s transition and eventual exit from Somalia.

“The council emphasizes that the successful implementation of the AMISOM CONOPs 2018 – 2021 and the Somali Transitional Plan (STP) will largely depend on the effective generation of the Somali Security Forces required for the gradual and progressive takeover of security responsibilities from AMISOM,” the council said in statement on Monday.

The council further underscored continued provision of required trained and equipped personnel by police and troop contributing countries and availability of required and predictable resources for AMISOM’s sustainment to support the Somali government in the implementation of the transitional plan.

“The Council calls on the UN and all stakeholders to continue supporting AMISOM and the Somali government in the provision of resources required for the effective implementation of the AMISOM CONOPs 2018-2021 and the (STP),” the statement read.

The AU Peace and Security Council meeting on the new CONOPS came as AU mission is expected to downsize its troops by one-thousand by the end of February, in line with the UN Security Council’s resolution, it was noted.

UN Security Council’s Resolution 2431 that was adopted in 2018 mainly called for a further reduction in the number of troops, following the first reduction undertaken in December 2017.

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